Find Criminal Records in Leon County
Leon County criminal court records are maintained at the courthouse in Centerville, Texas. The District Clerk handles all felony case files while the County Clerk keeps misdemeanor records. You can search Leon County criminal cases using the free statewide re:SearchTX portal, visit the courthouse in Centerville in person, or submit a written request by mail. This page explains how records are organized, where to find them, and what each office handles.
Leon County Overview
Leon County District Clerk
The Leon County District Clerk is the official keeper of all felony criminal court records for the county. This office receives and files grand jury indictments, maintains the criminal case docket, and stores judgments, sentences, and related documents from district court proceedings. If a felony case was prosecuted in Leon County, the case file is on record with this office in Centerville.
You can reach the District Clerk at (903) 536-2352. Staff can search records by defendant name or cause number. Visits in person are welcome during normal business hours. The District Clerk also processes petitions for expunction filed under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55. These petitions ask the court to remove criminal records for qualifying arrests and charges.
| Office | Leon County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 151 N. Main Street Centerville, TX 75833 |
| Phone | (903) 536-2352 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | leoncountytexas.net |
How to Search Leon County Criminal Records
Start with the re:SearchTX portal for free online access to Leon County district court criminal cases. The portal covers courts across Texas and lets you search by party name or cause number. It shows charges, case status, and court events. No account is needed.
The Texas judicial branch maintains the re:SearchTX system, which is the primary free tool for looking up Leon County criminal court records online.
For a full statewide criminal history search, the Texas Department of Public Safety provides name-based searches at DPS Criminal History Search for $3 per search. This covers conviction records from courts across Texas, not just Leon County. The DPS Crime Records Service provides additional detail on what records are available and how to request them.
In-person searches are done at the courthouse at 151 N. Main Street in Centerville. Bring the full name of the subject and any case number you have on hand. Staff will look up the case and can make copies for a per-page fee. Mail requests are also accepted with payment included.
Note: Records pre-dating the electronic system may not appear in online searches. Call the District Clerk directly to check on older case files.
Leon County Misdemeanor Records
Class A and Class B misdemeanor criminal cases in Leon County are handled by the County Court and kept by the Leon County Clerk. These cases involve charges like DWI, assault, theft below the felony amount, and similar offenses. The County Clerk's office is in the same building as the District Clerk in Centerville.
To find a misdemeanor record, call the County Clerk's office at (903) 536-2352. They can search by name or cause number. Class C misdemeanor cases, such as traffic offenses, are handled by justice of the peace courts and are not kept by the County Clerk. Those records stay with the JP court that handled the case.
| Office | Leon County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 151 N. Main Street Centerville, TX 75833 |
| Phone | (903) 536-2352 |
| Website | leoncountytexas.net |
Note: Class C misdemeanor records are not part of the County Clerk system. Contact the relevant justice of the peace court in Leon County for those records.
Leon County Arrest Records
The Leon County Sheriff's Office keeps arrest records for people booked into the county jail. An arrest record is not the same as a court record. It shows who was arrested, the charges at booking, and when the arrest happened. It does not show the court outcome.
Contact the Leon County Sheriff's Office directly for information about current or past jail bookings in the county. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice runs a statewide offender search for TDCJ inmates and recently released prisoners. The Texas sex offender registry is a free public DPS database of registered offenders and is searchable by county.
The Leon County District Attorney handles felony prosecutions in the county. For questions about a specific case prosecution or its current status, the DA's office may be able to provide guidance.
What Leon County Criminal Records Contain
Criminal court files in Leon County contain a range of documents depending on the case. A felony file usually begins with the grand jury indictment. A misdemeanor file begins with a formal information. Both types grow as the case moves forward through hearings, motions, and eventually a resolution.
Typical documents in a Leon County criminal case file include:
- Indictment or charging information
- Arrest warrant and probable cause affidavit
- Bond paperwork and conditions of release
- Plea agreement or trial records
- Final judgment and sentence
- Probation or supervision terms if ordered
Most of these documents are public under Texas Government Code Chapter 552, the Public Information Act. Some documents are sealed, including juvenile records, certain evaluations, and records covered by specific court orders. Expunged records are removed and not visible in public searches.
Fees and Record Access
Plain copies of criminal court records in Leon County cost $1 per page. Certified copies add a $5 certification fee. You can get copies at the courthouse or by mail. Include payment when sending a mail request. Address mail requests to the District Clerk for felony cases or to the County Clerk for misdemeanor records.
The re:SearchTX portal offers free online access to basic case information. No account or fee is needed to search. Full document copies typically require a visit to the courthouse or a mail request. The DPS name-based criminal history search costs $3 for a statewide result.
Note: Call the Leon County District Clerk at (903) 536-2352 before mailing a request to verify current fees and acceptable payment methods.
Legal Resources in Leon County
Several organizations provide legal help to residents of Leon County. Lone Star Legal Aid offers free civil legal services to low-income Texans. They may assist with matters like expunctions and record-related legal issues for people who qualify by income. Their coverage includes East and Central Texas counties.
The Texas Bar Find-A-Lawyer directory helps you search for licensed attorneys by county and practice area. TexasLawHelp.org has free self-help guides on criminal records, expunction, and non-disclosure orders. The Texas Public Information Act is the law that gives you the right to request records from government bodies in Leon County.
Cities in Leon County
Centerville serves as the county seat of Leon County and is home to the courthouse that handles all criminal cases. It is the main hub for court activity in the county. All criminal filings from anywhere in Leon County go through the courts in Centerville.
Other communities in Leon County include Buffalo, Jewett, Oakwood, Leona, and Normangee. None of these communities have their own criminal court systems. Cases from all parts of the county are processed through the Leon County courthouse.
Nearby Counties
Leon County borders several other Central and East Texas counties. If you need to determine which county holds a particular criminal record, check where the incident took place. Neighboring counties with their own court systems include Houston County, Robertson County, Freestone County, Madison County, Trinity County, and Walker County.